I don’t know what to say. I don’t want to accept it. And if my parents knew that someone did this for me, they’ll think I coaxed them into it. “Please don’t tell my parents.”
“Why would I tell them? What would it matter?”
“I know how they think. They think I’m a problem child. Like I sneak out all the time or do drugs or have sex. They think I manipulate people. Like I could manipulate a dog to chase a squirrel,” I mumble.
“Well, now I know where you get your trust issues.”
I roll my eyes. But he’s probably right. My parents never trust me, even though I never give them a reason not to. “Well, thanks for the car. You didn’t have to do it.”
“I know. But you’re welcome.”
“I’ll pay you—”
“Don’t worry about it.”
“Why are you being so nice to me?” I’m not quite sure what his angle is and why he’s being like this.
“I told you earlier. I like you.”
“Suddenly. Like, one day you woke up and decided, ‘hey, I really like Megan.’ Or because I’m one of the last girls you haven’t conquered.”
“That’s really annoying.”
“What? The truth?”
“You know, for someone who doesn’t like gossiping, you sure like to listen to the rumors.”
I narrow my eyes. “They aren’t rumors. I’ve heard from the girls themselves how you treated them.”
“What exactly did you hear?”
“That if you can’t get them in bed, you spread rumors that they’re terrible in bed.”
He gives a hard laugh. “That’s a good one. What else have you heard?”
“Some girls gloat that they’ve slept with you, which I’m not sure why they would. But Trinity Taylor said you called her every night and even gave her gifts until she finally caved. Then the second you had your way with her, you bolted.”
“I take it you trust her.”
I don’t know Trinity that well, but I saw the hurt on her face when she talked about it. “She has no reason to lie.”
“Of course not. But I do?” He is still smiling, but it isn’t exactly a friendly smile. I’m sure he’s amusing himself.
“Why would she say that?”
“Probably to get attention. I couldn’t tell you.”
That seems like a likely excuse he’d give. He slows to a red light. And locks the doors.
“Ask me how many partners I’ve had.”
“What?”
“Ask me.”
“That seems a bit personal and I don’t feel like talking about your conquests.”
“One,” he tells me anyway. “And wouldn’t you know it? Trinity is right about the story. But she was the one who bolted,” he says with all seriousness. His tone is low. His eyes stay on mine and I search them for any hint of lying but find none.
For some strange stupid reason, I wonder why Trinity would lie about that. Why would she say Casper is the bad guy? Why do I seem to buy his story? The light turns green and shines into the car. Casper looks back to the road.
“I admit,” he says. “I haven’t always been the best person. But I have a hard time caring about a lot of people at school. Most of them are shallow and have no real meaning to me. After Trinity, I put up a front so no one can get close to me. I let them think whatever they want. I can’t believe I’m telling you all this.”
“So, what about Amber? You had to have had a past with her.”
I see the muscle in his jaw clench. He seems to struggle with his words. “We went out a couple of times and she thought we were together. I never liked her in that way.” He pauses and tightens his grip around the steering wheel. I’m not sure what he’s upset or scared about. Maybe because Amber is a psycho who stalks him, but he is holding back something. He lifts his cap and scratches his head and replaces the cap. “Truth be told, I have liked you for a long time,” he finally says.
He must be crazy. Or is still playing with me. I laugh, but I’m more shocked and I don’t know what to do or say.
He sighs. “I don’t expect you to believe me. Especially since you think I did all those things to you. I’m no angel, but I’m also not the terror you think I am. You’ve always been so inaccessible. And now I know why. But if I have to prove it—”
“You don’t have to prove anything. I’m not going out with you.”
I see for a split second his face fall. Like I can actually hurt Casper.
“Are you and Vincent still together?”
“Yes, why?” Has he heard otherwise?
“Just curious why you didn’t call him.”
“He’s just going through some stuff.”
“Sorry. Look, I know you’re with him, but it’s like you’re consuming my mind. You must feel something for me if you rushed to my house—”
“I shouldn’t have done it, okay?” Truth is I did feel something that day I rushed to his house. Like he was in trouble and I needed to save him. But there is something more that I don’t want to acknowledge. I can’t let myself admit it.
“Megan, I dream about you every night.” The raw emotion in his voice makes my heart dissolve into mush.
But he’s toying with me. Someone definitely told him about my dreams. “Give it up already, okay? Just because someone overheard me talking to Cherry and blabbed to you doesn’t make it right to throw it in my face. I can’t believe you. For one second I actually thought—”
“Will you listen to me?” He cuts me off. “Every night, I dream we’re
